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We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs February 28 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

GoI Launches CBDC-based Digital Food Currency pilot for DBT under PMGKAY in PuducherryOn 26th February 2026, the Government of India (GoI) launched a Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC)-based Digital Food Currency pilot for Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) in Union Territory (UT) Puducherry.

• The pilot was inaugurated by Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD), in the presence of Puducherry Lieutenant (Lt.) Governor Kuniyil Kailashnathan and Puducherry Chief Minister (CM) N. Rangasamy.

About CBDC-Based PDS Pilot:
CBDC Type: The pilot uses Retail CBDC as programmable tokens credited to beneficiaries’ wallets for purpose-bound subsidy transfers.
Redemption: Tokens can be redeemed at Fair Price Shops (FPS) or authorized merchants, with feature phone users included for wider digital inclusion.
Tracing: Integration with the Digital Rupee (e₹) enables Real-Time Tracking (RTT) of transactions, enhancing transparency.
Integration: Supported by Reserve Bank of India (RBI), Public Financial Management System (PFMS), and Canara Bank (CB), while addressing biometric authentication and electronic Point of Sale (e-POS) challenges.
Portability: Aligns with the One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) and Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile (JAM) Trinity frameworks, allowing beneficiaries to locate nearby merchants via a mobile application.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches Rail Tech Policy and e-RCT SystemIn February 2026, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Ministry of Railways (MoR), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), and Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) announced the launch of the Rail Tech Policy and the complete digitisation of the Railway Claims Tribunal (RCT).

• The Rail Tech Policy and the e-RCT are Reform Number Three and Reform Number Four under Indian Railways’ flagship ‘52 Reforms in 52 Weeks’ initiative.

About Rail Tech Policy Reform:
Purpose: The reform aims to engage innovators, startups, industry and institutions to promote innovation in Indian Railways.
Portal: As part of the policy, a dedicated RailTech Portal will be launched to enable innovators to submit proposals through a fully digital, end-to-end process.
Funding: The Railways will fund up to 50% of development costs for viable solutions, with large-scale orders for successful innovations.

Dr. Jitendra Singh Launched India’s 1st State Innovation Mission in TripuraIn February 2026, Union Minister of State (MoS) (Independent Charge, IC) Dr. Jitendra Singh, Ministry of Science and Technology (MoS&T), formally launched India’s 1st State Innovation Mission (SIM) at the Hapania International Exhibition Center in Agartala, Tripura.

• While addressing the event, Union MoS described the Northeast as the ‘New Engine’ of India’s growth.

About SIM: This newly launched SIM is part of the approved Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) 2.0 programme, led by the National Institution  for Transforming India (NITI Aayog)’s State Support Mission (SSM).

• It is designed as a long-term institutional framework aimed to support States and Union Territories (UTs) in building robust, inclusive, and context-specific innovation ecosystems aligned with national priorities and local capabilities.

Other Key Launches: During the launch event of SIM, Dr. Manik Saha, CM of Tripura, formally launched ‘T-NEST(Tripura: Nurturing Entrepreneurship and Startups)’, state’s 1st premier incubation and innovation hub.

• He also launched one of India’s 1st District Innovator Fellowships (DIF), designed to identify and guide grassroots innovators with structured  lifecycle  support and has also announced that the state will soon launch an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy.

MoMSME Upgrades National Small Industries Corporation to ‘Schedule A’ CPSEIn February 2026,  the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MoMSME) upgraded the National Small Industries Corporation Limited (NSIC) from a Schedule ‘B’ to a Schedule ‘A’ category Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).

• The recognition reflects the corporation’s operational efficiency, financial strength, and strategic importance in supporting the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector.

About Schedule ‘A’ CPSE Upgrade of NSIC:
Financial Autonomy: Schedule ‘A’ status provides NSIC  greater financial and operational autonomy to strengthen its role in implementing Government of India (GoI) programmes.
Support: It supports MSMEs through skilling, capacity building, and enterprise development, while providing integrated services such as Marketing Support (MS), Credit Facilitation (CF), and Growth Capital (GC).
Performance: The corporation received ‘Excellent ratings’ from the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) for Financial Year 2024–25 (FY25), recognizing its sustained contribution to the MSME ecosystem.

India Signs SoI with Sweden to Strengthen AI & Digital CooperationOn February 25, 2026, India Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mission, under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), signed a Statement of Intent (SoI) with Business Sweden at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 held  in New Delhi, Delhi, to strengthen India–Sweden cooperation in AI and digital technologies.
About India–Sweden AI Partnership Framework:
Framework: The SoI aims to create a structured framework for collaboration in the development, deployment, and responsible use of AI solutions, with a focus on delivering practical industrial and societal benefits.
SITAC: As part of this partnership, India and Sweden will launch Sweden-India Technology and Artificial Intelligence Corridor (SITAC) programme. It will act as the main platform for cooperation between governments, industries, startups, investors, researchers, and academic institutions.
India – Kenya Implementation Framework Agreement for DigiLocker:
Overview:On the sidelines of the Summit, National electronic (e)-Governance Division (NeGD), MeitY, signed an agreement with the Ministry of Information, Communications & the Digital Economy of Kenya to launch a pilot project of Digilocker in Kenya.

• The system will enable digital storage and real-time verification of official documents for Kenyan citizens and organizations.

NMDC R&D Centre and IIT Hyderabad Sign MoU to Boost Indigenous Mining Technologies
In February 2026, the Research and Development (R&D) Centre of NMDC Limited (formerly National Mineral Development Corporation) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Hyderabad, Telangana, to foster academic and research collaboration to drive innovation in India’s mineral and metals sector.

• The agreement was signed by Sanjeev Sahi, Executive Director (ED), R&D of NMDC, and – G. Narahari Sastry, Dean (Sponsored Research & Consultancy) of IIT Hyderabad, in the presence of B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad.

Key Details of MoU:
Key Focus Areas: NMDC and IIT Hyderabad will jointly undertake research in iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration, green steelmaking technologies, alternate ironmaking using indigenous raw materials, and advanced modelling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes.
Technology Initiatives: The MoU will promote research and pilot projects in autonomous vehicle operations, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), Mining 4.0 frameworks, and drone-based surveying and monitoring systems.
Alignment: The collaboration supports sustainable development, the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s Net Zero emissions target by 2070.
About NMDC: NMDC is India’s largest iron ore producer, a Navratna Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) under the Ministry of Steel (MoS), established in 1958.

Ministry of Culture Signs MoU with FICCI to Strengthen India’s Cultural & Creative Economy
In February 2026, The Ministry of Culture signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) to develop a comprehensive national strategy for India’s Cultural and Creative Economy (CCE).
Key Details of the MoU:
Announced by: Union Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Minister of Culture & Tourism who called it a step towards making culture a foundation of economic prosperity and securing a better future for artists and artisans.
Purpose: The agreement aims to formulate a structured roadmap, integrate culture with economic policy, enhance domestic and international market access, promote entrepreneurship and innovation, and generate employment opportunities.
Areas of Collaboration: The MoU aims to frame supportive policies, engage industry stakeholders, build skills and entrepreneurship, expand global markets, and strengthen data systems for India’s cultural and creative sectors.
About CCE: It includes sectors such as visual and performing arts, traditional crafts and handlooms, film, television, and digital media, music and publishing, design and fashion, cultural tourism, heritage conservation and museums, and gaming and animation.

UIDAI Collaborates with Google to Display Verified Aadhaar Centres on Google Maps
On February 26, 2026, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), announced a collaboration with Google to display authorised Aadhaar Centres on Google Maps to enhance accessibility and transparency in Aadhaar services.

• The facility will be rolled out in phases and will cover more than 60,000 Aadhaar Centres, including Aadhaar Seva Kendras (ASKs) across India.

Collaboration Impact:
Resident Access: Google Maps will display only authorised Aadhaar Centres along with service details, operating hours, accessibility features, and parking information to ensure convenience and authenticity.
Next Phase: UIDAI will use Google Business Profile to manage centre information, respond to public feedback, and enable future direct appointment booking through Google Maps.
About UIDAI:
It was established on 12 January 2009 under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and headquartered in New Delhi. UIDAI. It is responsible for issuing Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identity number, and providing digital identity authentication for government and private services.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India’s Young Adults Rank 60th in Global Mental Health ReportIn February 2026, American Non-Government Organisation (NGO)Sapien Labs released its latest global mind health report titled ‘Global Mind Health in 2025: Mind Health-The Ability to Navigate Life’s Challenges and Function Productively’. As per the report, youth adults in India (aged 18 to 34 years) rank 60th out of 84 countries surveyed, with a Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 33.

• In contrast, Indians aged 55 and above, rank at 49th spot globally, with an overall MHQ score of 96.

About Global Mind Health in 2025:
Methodology: The study ranks countries based on MHQ score, mapping emotional, social, cognitive and physical capacities of participants.
Global MHQ Score: The study shows the global MHQ score at 66. In comparison, the MHQ score for adults aged 55 and above stands at 101 with  nearly 10% experiencing clinically major mental health challenges.

• However, the average MHQ score for youth (aged 18-34 years) is 36 and 41% experience clinically major mental health issues.

Top 3 Countries: Youth (18-34): Ghana(1st), Nigeria (2nd), Kenya and Zimbabwe (3rd).

• For People (55+): Indonesia(1st), El Salvador (2nd) and Ghana and Mexico (3rd).

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

WEF President & CEO Borge Brende Resigns; Alois Zwinggi Appointed Interim CEO
On February 26 2026, Børge Brende, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the World Economic Forum (WEF), officially announced his resignation.

• Alois Zwinggi has been named interim President and CEO of the WEF.

About Børge Brende:
Profile: He is a Norwegian politician and diplomat, known for his expertise in international relations, diplomacy, and multilateral economic and social policy.
Previous Roles: Before leading the WEF, he held several senior positions in the Norwegian government, including Minister of Foreign Affairs (2013–2017), Minister of Trade and Industry (2004–2005), and Minister of the Environment (2001–2004).
WEF: He was appointed President and CEO of the WEF in 2017.

ACQUISITIONS & MERGERS

RBI Approves SBI MF to Acquire Up to 9.99% Stake in RBL Bank and Bandhan BankIn February 2026, The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved SBI Mutual Fund (MF), a subsidiary of State Bank of India (SBI), to acquire up to a 9.99% of the paid-up share capital or voting rights in RBL Bank.

• RBI approved SBI MF to acquire up to 9.99% stake, including equity share capital and voting rights in Bandhan Bank.

About RBI Approval to SBI MF:
Time Period: SBI MF has one year from the approval date to complete the share acquisition up to the 9.99% limit. Its aggregate holding must not exceed 9.99% of RBL Bank at any time.
Re-Approval: If the stake of SBI MF falls below 5%, it will require fresh RBI approval to raise it back to 5% or more, ensuring proper due diligence on the investor, protection of financial stability, and transparent ownership structure in banks.
Current Shareholding: As of 20 February 2026, SBI MF held about 1.88% of RBL Bank’s shares. As of 2025, SBI MF held around 2% in Bandhan Bank.
Rule Compliance: The approval was granted by the RBI following an application by SBI Mutual Fund, subject to compliance with the Banking Regulation Act, 1949; RBI’s 2025 Directions on acquisition and holding of shares; the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999; and regulations issued by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), along with other applicable guidelines.

Facebook Overseas Acquires 30% Stake in REIL for Rs.256.6 Crore
In February 2026, Facebook Overseas, a wholly owned subsidiary of Meta Platforms Inc, acquired a 30% stake (25.65 crore shares) in Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Reliance Intelligence Limited (Reliance Intelligence) group, for about Rs.256.6 crores, at an average value of Rs.10 per share.
About the 30% Equity Sale of REIL to Facebook Overseas:
Issued Shares: REIL issued a total of 85.32 crore equity shares. Of these, 59.66 crore shares worth Rs.596.6 crores were allotted to RIL.
Shareholding: With this move, Reliance Intelligence holds 70% of REIL and Facebook Overseas holds 30% equity.
Disclosure: The transaction was disclosed in a stock exchange filing under Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)’s Listing Regulations.
About REIL: It was incorporated to focus on enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions. Its objectives include developing AI-based platforms and tools, providing AI services for enterprises and government institutions, creating scalable digital intelligence infrastructure, and supporting India’s growing AI ecosystem.

OBITUARY

Veteran CPI Leader R. Nallakannu Passed Away
On February 25, 2026, R. Nallakannu, a veteran leader of the Communist Party of India (CPI), passed away at the age of 101 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN). He was born on 26 December 1925 at Srivaikuntam in Tiruvaikuntam (now Thoothukudi district),TN.
About R. Nallakannu:
Profile:He  is one of India’s most respected communist leaders and a veteran of the freedom struggle. He is known for his integrity, simplicity, and lifelong commitment to farmers and workers.
Political Career: He was the senior leader of the CPI. He played a key role in strengthening the communist movement in TN and was imprisoned multiple times for participating in protests and political agitations.
State Leadership: He served as the CPI TN State Secretary for several years, guiding the party’s activities across the state.
Legacy: He strongly advocated for farmers’ rights, including land reforms, fair pricing, and irrigation, while raising awareness on river water disputes and opposing illegal sand mining to promote environmental conservation.

• He championed the Cauveri and Thamirabarani river issues, seeking judicial interventions against exploitation, and consistently supported marginalized communities, workers’ welfare, and grassroots democratic movements, leaving a lasting legacy of social justice and activism.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World NGO Day 2026 – February 27World Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) Day is observed annually across the globe on 27th February to recognize, celebrate, and honor the contributions of NGOs and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) in promoting social welfare, human rights, and sustainable development.

• 27 February 2026 marks the 13th observance of the World NGO Day.
• 2026 Theme: While there is no single official global theme, many organizations recognized “Restoring Dignity Through Inclusion” as the theme for 2026.

Background:
Founded: World NGO Day was created in 2009 in the European Union (EU) by Marcis Liors Skadmanis, a Latvian-British tech entrepreneur and philanthropist from the United Kingdom (UK), with support from Civic Alliance Latvia (CAL), a member of the Baltic Sea NGO Forum (BSNF).
Adoption: On 23 April 2012, the BSNF Committee (BSNFC) officially accepted World NGO Day during the 10th BSNF at Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
Inauguration: The first global World NGO Day event was held on 27 February 2014 by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFAF) in Helsinki, Finland.

Rare Disease Day 2026 – February 28Rare Disease Day is observed annually across the globe on the last day of February to raise awareness, promote healthcare equity, improve treatment access, and support research for rare conditions

• Rare Disease Day 2026, observed on 28 February, marks the 19th edition of this global awareness event.
• 2026 Theme:  “More than you can imagine: the realities behind rare diseases ”

Background:
Origin: Rare Disease Day was launched in 2008 by the European Organisation for Rare Diseases (EURORDIS) along with its Council of National Alliances (CNA). The first observance took place in 2008, with awareness events organized across 18 countries.
Global Expansion: Since its inception, Rare Disease Day has expanded significantly and is now marked in over 100 countries worldwide.
Significance: February 29 was selected because it occurs only once every four years, symbolizing the rarity of the diseases highlighted by the campaign.

STATE NEWS

Chhattisgarh FM Presented Rs 1.72 Lakh Crore Budget for FY27, focus on Bastar Development, Education & IndustryIn February 2026, Om Prakash (O.P.) Chaudhary, Finance Minister (FM) of Chhattisgarh presented the annual budget of Rs 1,72,000 crore for the Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) in the state legislative assembly in Raipur, Chhattisgarh.  This budget outlay for FY27 is 4.2% higher than the last year’s budget (Rs 1,65,000 crore).

• This year’s state budget is centred around ‘SANKALP’ (Samaveshi Vikas, Adhosanrachna, Nivesh, Kushal Manav Sansadhan, Antyoday, Livelihood and Policy se Parinam tak).

Key Highlights of Budget:
Revenue Receipts: The budget estimated total revenue receipts at Rs 1,43,000 crore for FY27.
Capital Expenditure: The budget has estimated the state’s Capital Expenditure (CapEx) at Rs 26,500 crore, accounting 15.4% of the total budget for FY27.
Fiscal Deficit: The budget has estimated the fiscal deficit of the state at Rs 20,400 crore which accounts 2.87% of the GSDP.
Sector-wise Allocations: The social sector received the highest priority, accounting for 40% of the total state budget, followed by 36% allocated to economic development activities, while the remaining 24% was earmarked for administrative and general services.

• Public Health (Rs 8,050 crore), Women and Child Development (Rs 11,000 crore), Agriculture (Rs 13,507 crore), among others

Allocations to Various Schemes: Krishak Unnati Yojana (Rs 10,000 crore), Mahatari Vandan Yojana (Rs 8,200 crore), National Health Mission (NHM (Rs 2,000 crore), among others.

Sikkim Renames Pakyong Airport After Freedom Fighter Trilochan Pokhrel
In February 2026,Prem Singh Tamang, Chief Minister (CM) of Sikkim, announced that Pakyong Airport, the lone airport in Sikkim, will be renamed Trilochan Pokhrel Airport in honour of the freedom fighter Trilochan Pokhrel, who is recognized as the first independence activist from Sikkim.

• The airport was inaugurated by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi in September 2018 as India’s 100th operational airport.

About Trilochan Pokhrel: 
Early Life: Trilochan Pokhrel, popularly known as ‘Gandhi Pokhrel’, was deeply influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of Satyagraha and non-violence during his time at Sabarmati Ashram (Gujarat) and Sarvodaya Ashram (Bihar).
Freedom Struggle: He actively participated in the Non-Cooperation Movement (NCM), Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM), and Quit India Movement (QIM), contributing to India’s freedom struggle and democratic movement.
Recognition: He passed away in 1969 and was posthumously honored with the L. D. Kazi Award (LDKA) in 2018 for his significant contributions.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta Launches ‘Jansunwai Portal’ to Strengthen Public Grievance Redressal
In February 2026, Rekha Gupta, Chief Minister (CM) of Delhi, launched the ‘CM Jansunwai Portal’ and mobile application(app) to strengthen public grievance redressal and enhance citizen engagement with the government.
About CM Jan Jansunwai Portal:
Centralized Grievance Platform: The portal centralizes grievances across all departments, enabling faster resolution and transparent tracking while digitizing public hearings to enhance official accountability and reduce physical visits to government offices.
Channels for Submission: The complaints can be submitted via online portal, mobile app, call centre with helpline 1902, and offline submission at the CM’s office.
Tracking: Every complaint gets a unique Identity Document (ID), status updates via Short Message Service (SMS), and options for escalation and feedback to ensure timely action.
Grievance Mechanism: The system includes a three-tier grievance redressal mechanism involving grievance officers and appellate authorities.

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